Aria didn't know how long they stood there in the foyer, wrapped in each other's arms, the echoes of harsh words fading into a tentative peace. Eventually, Damien loosened his embrace just enough to look down at her. His hand remained on her back, as if to reassure himself she wouldn't pull away. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
She managed a small nod, wiping her damp cheeks. "I think so." In truth, her heart was still pounding, but no longer solely from anger or fear – it pounded with relief that she was finally letting him in.
Aria took a steadying breath. The time had come to tell him everything she'd held back. "Damien, the man you saw me with… the one who started all this trouble… His name is Victor Hayes."
She felt Damien's arm tense subtly around her at the name. His eyes sharpened. "Victor Hayes," he repeated, as if committing it to memory. "Who is he?"
"Someone who knew me from before," Aria said. Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue. "He was an acquaintance of my family. He recognized me and started blackmailing me."
A muscle ticked in Damien's jaw. "Blackmailing you? For what?"
Aria swallowed hard. Even now it was difficult to admit. "He… he wanted me to use my connection to you to benefit him. To get him some kind of business favor or contract through your company. If I refused, he threatened to expose my real identity to the media."
Damien's grey eyes flashed with fury. She could feel it radiating off him, though his hold on her remained protective. "That bastard," he bit out, voice low and dangerous. "He thought he could use you to get to me? To hurt you?"
Aria shook her head quickly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I met with him because I thought I could negotiate or buy time. I was desperate to keep him from causing a scene." Her gaze dropped. "I was so afraid, Damien. Afraid of what would happen if he spilled everything. I didn't want this to touch you or Noah. I… I didn't want you to look at me differently."
Damien's fingers curled gently under her chin, lifting her face back up. His eyes burned with conviction. "You listen to me. None of this is your fault. That man is the one in the wrong. And I'm glad you told me now." His tone turned steely. "I intend to deal with Victor Hayes, swiftly and permanently."
A flicker of alarm went through Aria at the cold resolve in his voice. "Damien, please be careful. He's cunning. I don't want you getting into trouble on my behalf."
"I can handle one leech looking to make a quick gain," Damien said, a confident edge to his anger. "He won't bother you again, I promise."
Aria believed him – Damien Blackwood in full protective mode was a formidable sight – but she also knew Victor wouldn't back off easily. Still, a weight had lifted now that she wasn't bearing this alone. "Thank you," she murmured. "For believing me… and for standing by me."
Something softened in Damien's expression. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a touch so intimate it sent a flutter through her stomach. "Always," he said simply. "I told you, you're my wife. I protect what's mine."
A quiet gasp escaped her. She wondered if he realized how those words sounded – fierce and possessive and laced with an affection he still struggled to fully express. Warmth bloomed in her chest, chasing away the last chill of fear. "I… I won't forget that," she whispered.
In the heavy pause that followed, they shared a long look. Damien's thumb lingered near her cheek, and Aria found herself leaning infinitesimally into his touch. Her eyes dropped to his lips, unbidden, and for a heartbeat she wondered if he might kiss her. Her heart thudded in anticipation and nervousness.
Before either of them could move, a small voice echoed from the hallway: "Mommy, Daddy! Are you home?"
They sprang apart, though Damien kept one steadying hand at the small of Aria's back. Little Noah came bounding into view around the corner, Mr. Bear tucked under one arm. Behind him trailed Mrs. Halverson, who gave a discreet smile at the sight of the couple standing so close. "Sorry, he got away from me," she apologized lightly, then slipped off toward the kitchen to give the family privacy.
"We're here, honey," Aria called, her voice still a bit thick with emotion. She hastily wiped any remaining tears from her eyes and mustered a bright smile as Noah barreled toward them.
Noah stopped short, his four-year-old gaze perceptive as it flicked between his parents. "Were you crying, Mommy?" he asked, eyes wide with concern.
Aria opened her mouth, but her throat tightened. How could she explain adult heartaches to someone so innocent? To her relief, Damien crouched down and scooped Noah into his arms before she had to answer.
"Mommy's okay, champ," Damien said gently. "We both just had something in our eyes, that's all." He offered a conspiratorial wink.
Noah looked skeptical for a moment. He reached a small hand toward Aria's face and she leaned down to let him brush his fingers over her cheek. "Your eyes are red," he observed seriously.
Aria managed a soft smile. "They feel better now," she assured him. "Especially since I have you here. You always make me feel better."
That earned a grin from Noah. He looped an arm around her neck and effectively pulled both his parents into a group hug. "I love you, Mommy," he declared.
Emotion swelled in Aria's chest. She kissed Noah's temple and held him close (and by extension, Damien, who was embracing them both). "I love you too, baby," she whispered.
Noah then turned and planted a sticky kiss on Damien's cheek. "I love you, Daddy."
Damien chuckled, the sound vibrating through Aria. He pressed a kiss to the top of Noah's head. "We love you more than anything, buddy," he murmured.
Noah giggled. "Group huuug!" he sang out, squeezing with all his might. Mr. Bear was squished between them, but no one minded.
They stayed like that, a tangle of arms and pure love, for a few precious moments. Aria closed her eyes, imprinting the warmth of her family on her memory. In the span of a single evening, her world had tilted on its axis. The truths that had threatened to break them apart had instead brought them closer. She felt lighter than she had in ages.
Over Noah's curls, Aria found Damien's gaze. The tenderness she saw there nearly stole her breath. This man – who hours ago was simply her husband by arrangement – now held her secrets and still looked at her with unwavering support. How had she gotten so lucky?
As if reading her thoughts, Damien gave a small nod, a silent promise that they were in this together. Her lips curved in a genuine smile that he returned.
Eventually, Noah's constant wiggle signaled his attention shifting. "Can we have ice cream now?" he asked hopefully, looking between them with bright eyes.
Aria huffed a soft laugh and pulled back, smoothing Noah's messy curls. Trust a child to move straight from serious cuddles to sweet treats without missing a beat. "It's a bit late for ice cream, darling," she said gently.
Noah's face fell in dramatic disappointment. "But you and Daddy were gone so long…"
Damien stood up, hoisting Noah against his hip with ease. "Tell you what," he said, tapping Noah's nose and making him giggle. "If you get ready for bed like a champ, maybe Mommy can be persuaded to give you one small scoop as a special treat."
Noah gasped in excitement and immediately squirmed to be let down. "I'll go get my pajamas now!" he announced. Damien chuckled and set him on his feet. The boy took off toward the stairs, Mr. Bear flopping in his grip.
Aria shook her head in amusement. "That was sneaky. You get to be the hero and I get to be the bad guy if I say no later."
Damien slipped an arm around her waist casually as they followed Noah at a slower pace. The gesture was natural, as though he'd done it a thousand times, and Aria found herself leaning into his side. "I have complete faith you won't break his little heart," he teased. "Not when he asks with those big puppy eyes."
She laughed softly. "He really has us wrapped around his finger, doesn't he?"
"Completely," Damien agreed, giving her waist a light squeeze. "Besides, I think we all deserve a little sweetness tonight."
Aria glanced up at him, catching the double meaning in his words. Her cheeks warmed pleasantly. "I think so too," she said, voice earnest.
They helped Noah through his bedtime routine as a team – Damien overseeing teeth brushing (mostly making sure more toothpaste ended up on the brush than on the sink) while Aria fetched the promised single scoop of vanilla ice cream. Noah happily devoured his treat, then climbed into bed with Mr. Bear while Aria read him a short story. The little boy was yawning before the final page.
With the lights dimmed and Noah snug under the covers, Aria and Damien tiptoed out of his room, pulling the door to a safe crack. For a moment, they stood in the hallway, faces illuminated by the soft glow of Noah's nightlight.
A surge of gratitude and affection overwhelmed Aria. The man beside her had fought for her today – against the prying media, against her own stubborn fears – and here he was now, helping tuck their son into bed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. As if we really are... a family, she thought, heart swelling.
On impulse, Aria reached out and took Damien's hand in hers. He looked down in surprise, then his fingers curled around hers firmly.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Damien stepped closer, their joined hands squeezed between them. "You'll never have to find out," he murmured.
There was so much Aria wanted to say in that moment. I'm so glad I have you and You mean so much to me danced on the tip of her tongue, but under the intensity of his gaze, the words tangled up. In the end, she simply rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, right at the corner of his mouth.
It was a chaste kiss, quick and gentle, yet it sent a thrill through her. Damien inhaled sharply, his hand tightening around hers. For a split second, Aria worried she'd overstepped. But when she drew back, his expression was tender, a little astonished, and not at all upset.
"Good night, Damien," she whispered, a soft smile playing on her lips.
For a moment, he seemed to struggle for a response. Then he lifted their intertwined hands and brushed his lips over her knuckles with old-fashioned gallantry. "Good night, Aria," he replied, voice husky.
Aria floated to her bedroom on a cloud of tentative happiness and hope. As she closed her door, she pressed her fingers to her cheek, where the warmth of his lips lingered in memory. Tonight had been a turning point. They had confronted fears and secrets, and instead of pushing them apart, it had pulled them closer than ever.
For the first time, Aria allowed herself to truly imagine what it might be like if this marriage were real – if the tenderness in Damien's eyes tonight was love, if every evening could end with soft words and sweeter touches. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.
She slipped into bed, mind drifting over the day's events. There would be challenges ahead – Victor was still out there, and the media frenzy was likely far from over. But now she had an ally by her side, someone who had proven he was willing to fight for her.
With that comforting thought, Aria closed her eyes. Under the same roof, just down the hall, Damien was likely lying awake too, each replaying the new memories they'd forged in the heat of conflict and reconciliation. Whatever tomorrow brought, they would face it together.
In the quiet darkness, Aria smiled to herself. They were no longer just two strangers bound by a contract and a child. They were becoming something real – a family.